Pete Carroll, Live and Uncut: Matt Hasselbeck

Before Pete Carroll arrived in Seattle, he had already asked for Matt Hasselbeck's phone number to reach out to him. How significant is that? Well, it is telling. Remember when Mike Holmgren came as head coach back in 1999? He never called Warren Moon, who was the starting quarterback at the time and it was foretelling because Moon was gone before the season started.

The status of Hasselbeck is going to be one of the biggest questions Carroll has to address. Hasselbeck is 34 and has one year remaining on his contract. Where does he stand going forward? Well, judging by Carroll's early indication, he won't be going anywhere before next season begins.

"I know we have a quarterback that has played really good football in his career," Carroll said. "Matty, he's feeling pretty good. He's bouncing back from a sore shoulder during the season. He's ready to go. That is one of the key elements of putting together a team that has a chance to win right away. You've got to have a quarterback. I know that we have a first-class guy in Matt and I can't wait to get working with him."

Oh, he called him Matty. That's endearing. As for Hasselbeck going forward?

"The NFL is a quarterback-driven process," Carroll said, "and so the fact that we have Matt Hasselbeck here is a big factor. He's played the game, he has been a champion, he knows how to get the thing done. We've got to get his support group and his play to the level that gives us a chance to win."

Does he trust a quarterback at Hasselbeck's age and his injury history?

"I'm thrilled that he's got that background and experience and he's not banged up," Carroll said.